It’s been a few weeks since I walked out the movie theater a changed woman. I sat in awe and delight seeing the story of how Wonder Woman came to be. I was a little girl running around in Wonder Woman Underoos in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The first and only female super hero I was aware of and so she was quite the character held in the imagination of a little girl like me. It’s been a long time since I thought about her, until I saw the recent movie.

Have you ever looked around and thought, if I could just be more like her? If I could just have the traits that he has? If only my life circumstances were different, this or that could be achieved?

Of course you have! We’ve all done it, but some of us are pros while others are amateurs. Let’s just say I may have been reaching pro levels in this comparison game and the consequences of my mental time spent in that game are now finally open to my view.

I thought about the many topics I've outlined and feel are post worthy, but as it turns out those must wait for another day. In my heart is another matter to cover. It's the proper care and feeding of you!

I’ve seen women go through the beginning of the darkest hours of their lives. They are bringing forth a baby who will be born in eternal sleep, or who will live only long enough to say goodbye. While very emotional and taxing to be a part of, it is a privilege to be there for that mother and her family who are so in shock, so deeply sad, and so broken.

Your response to Miss Colorado, Kelley Johnson, and her monologue at the Miss America Pageant were flippant, belittling, and at best, thoughtless. “She basically read her emails out loud.” Really….really?

I’m sure you’ve thought much about what your baby’s birth will be like. Have you imagined how amazing it will be to finally meet your baby face to face and gaze into each other’s eyes? What will that moment feel like? Will it be everything you imagined, or more?

Motherhood is a delicate dance between hanging on and letting go. On this first day of school, just remember learning to let go the apron-strings a bit with heart-strings still intact is a vital skill and one I'm still learning.

While nothing in this world is guaranteed, let’s pretend for a minute that you could increase the odds of your baby being born healthy with a smoother and safer arrival. How much would you pay to increase those odds in your baby’s favor, $500, $1000, $2500, $5000, $10,000? Would there be a price too high?

When is the last time you gave into what your body was craving and felt better for doing it? Cravings can be our deepest desires bubbling up to get our attention. Cravings are not always bad; something to be cast aside. Sometimes we should honor and listen to them, like I did on this particular morning.

She gave me a defeated look and in her adorable seven year old voice said, almost under her breath, “I’m just too fat…..” In an instant, my heart broke! How could it be that my seven year old is already viewing her body with such self criticism? At that moment I began to rack my brain about what kind of messages my adorable daughter might have picked up from me, and I realized I better be more careful about my thoughts, actions, and words.

Now you are holding your little one and are getting better acquainted everyday. Perhaps you are more happy, exhausted, overwhelmed, or discouraged than you expected. Lack of sleep, and being at the beck and call of this precious baby of yours is taxing in ways you couldn't fully expect. Now you are here, and motherhood is as real as it gets.

Do you feel your identity slipping away? Do you feel like you are just an extension of your baby? If you are breastfeeding, are you feeling like a milk cow? I struggled with feelings like this, and many more. Just know that you are not alone. If you are feeling down, suffering from depression, having anxiety or fear that you will never feel like you again: Taking some time to care for yourself through exercise is likely just the thing to give you a boost.

So, the bun is in the oven! Why should you be motivated to exercise when you perhaps feel nauseated, exhausted, swollen, "fat," etc? It seems odd, but these are the reasons you should exercise. Studies have shown women who exercise regularly during pregnancy suffer less from common pregnancy discomforts, and minimize unnecessary weight gain.

As a young mom, it's so tempting to just let the current of life take you along; figuring when your kids are older it will be easier to find the time to care for yourself and exercise your body. This is a myth! While the level of physical dependency very young children require is greater than when they get older, it is never convenient to break away from mothering duties and invest time in yourself. It is time YOU must carve out and set aside; it never magically appears on your doorstep and begs your attention. Getting in the habit of exercise now, rather than putting it off for a better time will ensure you are laying a strong and healthy foundation for you and your family.

Dad, thank you a million times for telling me how beautiful, smart, and talented I was, even from the time I was a tiny person. As your eldest, and a girl, I know a bit how much you must have loved me, worried about me, and desperately wanted the best for me from the the first moment you saw me, even to the present day. I only claim to know this now because my first child is a girl, and she is amazing, beautiful, smart, and talented in ways she is only just discovering. Now at 15 years old, your oldest grandchild seems to only get grander with the passage of time, and my love for her grows to keep pace with her climbing stature (she's gotta be 5'8" by now).

After we have our precious little stow-a-way in our arms, suddenly all of the physical changes and discomforts it required to get them here fade to the background and we are just happy to finally meet them. Within a fairly short period of time, however, we look at what pregnancy left behind and we become anxious to reclaim the body of 9 months ago. Often times we are not only out for reclamation, but an outright post partum miracle! Really what we want is the mojo back; to feel sexy, strong, and beautiful. We ALL know what beautiful looks like, right?

Instead of wandering into a general population gym or class and feeling lost and out of place, imagine walking into a class where there are other women at various points of motherhood that you know and have forged friendships with. An instructor is also there who is warm and friendly, possessing special training and experience that can help guide you through a safe and effective workout tailored just for you. Instead of a one size fits all approach that is often found in other settings, you are designed and tailored a class that fits you; taking into account your current fitness level, and your point along the motherhood journey. This is now a real option that women can take advantage of.

Mothers are amazing, and every time a baby is born, so is a mother. Mamas are the ultimate mentors to their children and teach in powerful ways through example. Sometimes this is a fact I wish could be selectively changed when I do or say things I would not wish my children to emulate. The flip side, however, is wonderful and amazing. As I work to do the best I can, to be a healthy example, I look over my shoulder and pray my children are watching me. This example will change who they will become, and my greatest hope is they will be set on a healthy path as they observe my efforts to treat my body and spirit well through proper nutrition and exercise.

Mia Mama Fitness

Shaping Healthy Futures, One Mama At A Time

Fitness specially designed to be safe and effective for pregnant and new mothers. Mia Mama Fitness provides pre-natal and post-natal exercise classes, as well as personal and semi-personal fitness training available to help mamas achieve the best health and wellness possible.